The Chicago Bears struggled significantly rushing the football last year. They had a couple of running backs that produced a bit. D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson got the bulk of the carries. However, neither one was the kind of running back that is needed for the type of offense that might be used in Chicago going forward. The Bears need an upgrade at running back and some are pointing towards the fact that Ashton Jeanty, the Boise State superstar who was runner-up to Heisman winner Travis Hunter, could be a nice fit in Chicago.
Why The Chicago Bears Might Set Their Sights on Ashton Jeanty
The Player
Ashton Jeanty is a junior from Boise State. Last season, the 5’9” 215-pound junior rushed for 2601 yards on 374 carries. He had 28 total touchdowns in 2024 and rushed for an average of seven yards a carry. Imagine that kind of production on offense in Chicago.
Of course, he’s not going to replicate that kind of production in the National Football League. But, if a team could get great production and durability out of a guy like him, he might just be worth the pick.
Some draft experts have Jeanty going very early in the draft. Some have him going a few picks ahead of the Bears pick. But for the value, teams might let him slide to number ten where the Bears could snap him up in a heartbeat.
Why the Chicago Bears?
The Bears are probably going to run an offense that is run-centered. They are going to want to give quarterback Caleb Williams time to throw the ball. The Bears need a guy who can run between the tackles and be a threat to take it to the house every play.
Jeanty is that kind of running back.
Now that the Bears have secured a lot of the inside offensive line help that they need, they could concentrate on taking a playmaker with the tenth pick overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. The more you look at Jeanty, the more you realize that he could be a great fit in Chicago. Ben Johnson’s offense is going to almost assuredly feature one between-the-tackles back and one outside type of runner. Jeanty could be the inside guy, and Swift could take the outside.
That kind of combination would be deadly for sure. The Bears need that type of combination to have a successful offense.
When the Dust Settles
The Bears are going to try to find some kind of help at running back in the draft this year. You can be assured of that. They got some of their issues at the guard positions solved. Hopefully, the Bears can get the center spot solved.
A good offensive tackle could be on the way with their pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. But if Jeanty remains in the draft when the Bears come up to the podium, it just might be worth it taking him. He could bring another dimension to the Chicago Bears.
It would be a dimension that hasn’t been seen in quite some time.
Main Image: Joe Rondone – USA Today Sports
